It was certainly a colourful occasion too, Corby Town parading a very fetching pink and black `catwalk‘ strip and Daventry not being outdone in their classic Purple `new season` collection!
Daventry were first to stir the crowd, a good run on the right flank from Marcus Jackson set up striker Ashley Robinson who hit a volley just past the former Cobblers keeper Paul Walkers left hand post. Robinson broke forward soon after, hitting a shot which was deflected for a corner, off the body of centre back Carl Piergianni, Robinson getting his head on the resulting corner, unfortunately straight into the arms of the keeper.
Daventry were looking quite comfortable for the first thirty minutes, creating several attempts on goal, Nat Liburd having a shot saved on 25 minutes, after a probing run forward from Ross Oulton, and another shot which bounced just wide of the far post, from Liam Dolman.
The Steelmen were having a lot of the possession but creating few meaningful chances, the Daventry defence led by a strong general in Liam Dolman, screaming out orders and directions to team mates, to deal easily with the Corby attacks.
Corby went ahead after Daventry lost possession of the ball high up the field, a long ball out from full back Stefan Galinski in to the open spaces on the left flank found Josh Moreman, who went on a solo run pursued by Marcus Jackson and Kyle Cartwright, both trying desperately to get back in defence, Moreman outstripped them both, finally hitting his shot to the left of Daventry keeper Richard Morris as he came out to shorten the angles.
Goal scorer Josh Moreman, had to leave the field minutes later, after pulling a hamstring, being replaced by former Daventry Town wingback Greg Kaziboni, soon to play a major part in the match!
Marcus Jackson also went off injured for Daventry and local Daventry lad Adam Confue took to the field, warmly applauded by the Daventry Purple Army.
Corby began to look far more comfortable on the ball as the game progressed, their passing much swifter and sharper than those of their opponents, but Daventry were always in the game, and they almost equalised soon after the break, Nat Liburd hitting a fantastic dipping volley goal wards, unfortunately Liburds shot was too close to the keeper, who managed to get his left hand to the shot turning it high up and away from the goal, a quality strike and brilliant save.
Daventry were now buzzing after coming so close to scoring and it was not long before their endeavours were rewarded, Adam Confue won a free kick for obstruction on the left of the field, Neil King swung in a wonderful out swinging free kick, which was met by Callum Burgess who calmly directed his header past the beaten Walker, to rapturous celebrations from the Purple Army, players and supporters.
The celebrations were not to last too long, for soon former Northampton Town and Daventry Town wing back Greg Kaziboni began to remind Town supporters what they were now missing, with several probing runs down the right wing, and in the 65th minute his pacey run presented Corby with their second goal, his cross from the right was hard and low, straight to the feet of Ryan Semple in the six yard box, who had an easy tap in and give Corby the lead for the second time in the match. Ryan Semple tested the Daventry keeper again minutes later, with a well hit shot which Morris had to go down low to collect.
Corby increased their lead in the eighty fourth minute, substitute Gary King forced Morris into another fine save, turning the ball around his post for a corner, from the resulting corner kick taken by Ryan Semple, Paul Malone rose high unchallenged to head the ball past an exposed Richard Morris to seal the match and trophy for Corby Town.
Corby will go back to East Northamptonshire nursing the Hillier Cup, ready for their trophy cabinet, but manager Chris Plummer will no doubt concede that Daventry had made it a lot more difficult than he had anticipated, despite his team having a little more quality on the field.
Daventry Town should be proud of their achievement; they competed well with a team two levels higher in the pyramid than themselves. It was a good day for Daventry Town, in a crowd of over 327 spectators; there were many supporters of the Purple Army wrapped in scarves and shirts supporting their local club.
Even in defeat, supporters waited to applaud their team from the field, well done Daventry Town, a proud day.

Next game for Daventry is this Thursday 18/04/13 when we entertain Leighton Town, hoping to extend our unbeaten league run to ten matches, then on Saturday 20/04/13 Town are at home for the last time this season to Fleet Town before completing the season at far flung Guildford City on Saturday 27/04/13.

JWD©